MANCHESTER: England bowling coach David Saker hailed Chris Jordan as the “ultimate professional” after the all-rounder spearheaded a stunning 10-wicket defeat of Sri Lanka in the third One-day International.

Sussex paceman Jordan took a career-best five wickets for 29 runs as England dismissed Sri Lanka for just 67 at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

“The way he prepares for every game, the way he looks after himself, he’s the ultimate professional,” Saker said of Jordan.

Saker, himself a former Victoria and Tasmania seam bowler, added Jordan’s attitude was equalled only by his talent.

“He always wants to get better and he is getting better every game,” the 47-year-old bowling guru insisted.

“He fields really well. He bowls well and when he gets the ball in his area he hits it out of the park so he’s been a fantastic find for us,” Saker added of the Barbados-born Jordan, who came to England after being scouted for a sports scholarship at London school Dulwich College by former Test batsman Bill Athey.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2014